Quick Facts
Program code
EC-WN102
Category
Volunteer Work, Nature Protection, Education, Community Work
Country
Ecuador
Location
San Cristóbal Island, Galapagos Islands
Program start
Check-in at the project on the island is always on a Monday.
Before traveling to the island, there is a mandatory orientation session in Quito. So, you need to plan for at least 1 night in Quito. The airport pick-up in Quito and the overnight stay(s) in Quito are part of the program.
Minimum duration
2 weeks + 1 day (maximum 8 weeks)
(maximum permitted stay on the Galapagos Island is 60 days)
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
Be more than a mere tourist who travel to the Galapagos Islands every year only to take some exciting photos! Come to Galapagos to contribute to the conservation of natural habitats in this fragile ecosystem and help protect endemic flora and fauna. By volunteering on the Galapagos Islands, you also get involved in local communities and help with environmental education.
This volunteer project in the Galapagos Islands gives you the unique opportunity to spend an extended time on these famous islands.
The Galapagos Islands are home to around 500 native plant species, over 700 species have been introduced! The island of San Cristobal is located about 960 kilometers from the mainland in the Pacific. The Humboldt, Cromwell and Panama currents cross here, which means that the Galapagos Islands are extremely diverse. In recent decades, the Galapagos Islands have seen a higher birth rate and an increasing number of tourists. This led to a much higher demand for food and other products. Endemic nature and plants had to give way to agriculture and livestock farming!
The Galapagos Islands, however, could not produce enough to meet the increasing demand. For this reason, the government had to allow imports from the mainland, which had fatal consequences.
With the imports of (fresh) food and agricultural products came non-endemic species such as the blackberry (spreads very quickly) but also many plant pests on the island and threaten the native flora and fauna.
An important part of the volunteer project on the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos is to counter the spread of these species in order to protect the local flora and fauna. The project is pursuing various approaches for this goal:
- Eradicating imported plants
- Reforestation of endemic plants
- Promoting a sustainable lifestyle
- Education of the population
- Community work (construction work, environmental education, English lessons, computer courses, etc.)
This volunteer project is your chance to get to know the Galapagos Islands in a way normal tourists are not able to see. Help to preserve this unique spot on earth and to fight the problems of mass tourism.
Tasks
Volunteers on the Galapagos Islands are placed on a Hacienda with eco farming activities that owns 30 hectares of land that is part of the Galapagos National Park. This land must be protected and regularly cleared of non-endemic plants. This is to reverse the negative effects that the introduction of non-native plant species had on local flora. The previous volunteers have made a major contribution to current reforestation projects and the results can already be clearly seen. Introduced plants were carefully removed and endemic plants were first grown in the greenhouse and then transplanted outdoors.
The volunteers also support various development projects in local communities. Environmental education is very successful here.
The tasks of the volunteers are diverse and mainly have to do with the areas of reforestation, research and community work.
Working in this volunteer project requires physical labor. But you will quickly notice how stress-relieving and good for the soul this can be!
Possible tasks are:
- Eradication of imported plants (Mora, Guayaba and Superroza)
- Forestation with native plants
- Working in the greenhouse and gardens (sowing native plants / planting fruits and vegetables)
- Supporting the local community (painting schools, cleaning of beaches and parks, etc.)
- Assistance in teaching English, computer skills, sports, etc.
To prevent people from working too hard during the hot midday hours, the working days in this volunteer project start early with a hearty breakfast at 6.30 a.m. When the work ends in the afternoon, the volunteers have time to explore the island, relax in the hammocks, chill out or stroll through the harbor. Volunteers work from Monday to Friday and have the weekends off.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
Volunteers live in the volunteer house on the farm. It is located in the small farming community of La Soledad at about 11 km from the port. It is at the upper part of San Cristobal Island. The house has a capacity to accommodate 10 people at the same time, 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, bathrooms and a nice view from the front yard.
It has internet access only for using whatsapp. We recommend getting a local SIM card with internet data. Volunteers will get three fresh meals per day at the volunteer house made by our coordinator.
Vegetarian/Vegan meals can be accommodated. Please advice in adavance!
Location
San Cristobal is one of the two main islands of the archipelago of the Galapagos Islands. The island has an airport and a harbor, as well as a small town and several small villages. The capital of Galapagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is located on the southwestern tip of the island. Near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno there are tourist sites such as Cerro Tijeretas, a breeding colony for frigates, and a statue of Charles Darwin, which marks the original site where he first landed on the Galapagos Islands during the second voyage of the HMS Beagle.
Also, worth seeing is La Lobería, a colony of sea lions, only about ten minutes by bus from the city. There are also locals who offer boat trips to take visitors to two nearby diving sites.
Popular photo motifs on the island are the many sea lions, cliff crabs, seashells, frigate birds, mockingbirds, rays, Bahama ducks, moorhens, Darwin's finches, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and last but not least the famous Galapagos giant tortoises.
In the hinterland of San Cristobal, small farms grow fruit, vegetables and even organic coffee.
Language skills
For optimal program preparation and cultural integration in the destination country, we recommend participating in a Spanish course in Ecuador (optional).
You can book your Spanish course in Ecuador directly with us!
Requirements
- Communication level Spanish (book your Spanish course in Ecuador!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
- Participation in an orientation session in Quito before heading to the Galapagos Islands
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by the program coordinator in Quito. Furthermore, a volunteer coordinator will be there for you on-site.
Costs & Services
Our Eco Volunteering on the Galapagos Islands includes:
- Shared room in Volunteer House
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Airport pick-up in Quito and 1 overnight stay in Quito
- Introduction meeting in Quito
- Airport drop off in Quito for flight to the Galapagos Islands
- Airport pick-up on San Cristobal Island
- Issuing the permit to stay on the Galapagos Islands
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- Orientation upon arrival
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Not included: Entry fee to the Galapagos Islands, approx. US$ 200 plus airport tax approx. US$ 20
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Placement fee: US$ 1,295 (minimum stay 2 weeks + 1 day)
Extra week: US$ 375
Note: Full weeks are always charged at the project from Monday to Sunday. Please always add 1 night in Quito for introduction meeting.
(maximum permitted stay on the Galapagos Island is 60 days)
Additionally, you can book:
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Volunteer Guide
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